1L people dropped from NRC, will have to prove citizenship
Since last year, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) list has been defining politics in Assam. The first draft to identify who is an Indian citizen and who isn't was released in July 2018. And on Wednesday, a new list called Additional Draft Exclusion List was published wherein names of over 1 lakh people were dropped. But why were their names excluded? Here are more details.
Background: NRC aims at weeding out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants
The NRC list, which was initiated to weed out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from the country, is being updated for the first time since 1951. On July 30, 2018, a draft was published and it included 2.89 crore of the 3.29 crore applicants. Those who were left out were asked to furnish documents to prove their citizenship. The Supreme Court has directed authorities to complete the process till July 31.
Authorities published new list, asked over 1L to prove citizenship
Revealing more about the new list, the state coordinator of NRC said, "As per provisions contained in Clause 5 of Schedule of Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Card) Rules, 2003, an additional draft list consisting of 1,02,462 has been published today."
Here are the reasons why people were dropped from list
The authorities considered three factors while adding names in the Additional Draft Exclusion List. Those who were declared a foreigner or doubtful voters or those whose cases are pending at Foreigners' Tribunals found a place in the new list. Secondly, "persons who were found to be ineligible while appearing as a witness in hearings held for disposal of claims and objections" were also dropped.
Thirdly, those who couldn't be verified were also excluded
Interestingly, after the first draft was published last year, Local Registrars of Citizens Registration carried out a verification process under the provisions of Clause 4(3). Those who couldn't meet their requirements were also dropped from the NRC today.
Notably, excluded people can file their claims by July 11
So what happens to those who were mentioned in the latest list? The authorities will deliver Letters of Information (LOI) at their residential addresses explaining why they were excluded. Thereafter, they can file their claims at the designated NRC centers by July 11. "The submission of a claim and its disposal by the Disposing Officer through a hearing will happen together," the statement revealed.
